Firearm Cartridge Holder

ABSTRACT

A firearm cartridge holder has a cartridge clip and a mounting bracket attached to the cartridge clip. The mounting bracket is attached adjacent to, but above, the barrel of a firearm in close proximity to the firearm breech. The cartridge clip holds a cartridge substantially parallel to the barrel of the firearm.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/558,319, filed Apr. 1, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to firearms. Particularly, thepresent invention relates to the reloading of firearms. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a cartridge/shell holderfor firearms.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In many instances, a hunter or shooter will use a single shot firearm(rifle, pistol or shotgun) when hunting to increase the challenge of thehunt. When the single shot has been discharged, it is desirable to beable to quickly and conveniently load an additional shot into thefirearm. Typically, the additional bullets, cartridges or shells arecarried in the person's pocket, belt, etc., and their location makes itdifficult to quickly reload the firearm. Various devices have beendevised to address this problem.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,576 (1988, Moravek) discloses a cartridge holder formounting on a pistol, rifle or shotgun. The cartridge holder has anelastic member which is sewn in such a manner so as to create a firstloop portion which may be slipped over the forearm of a weapon tomaintain the member on the weapon. A pair of spaced-apart smaller loopsis also formed in the member adapted to receive a cartridge therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,157 (1998, Scott et al.) discloses a shotgun stockincluding a shell holding compartment. The shell holding compartment iscompletely contained within the confines of the shotgun stock so that itdoes not extend outwardly in either direction from the stock. The shellholder has several clips facing either the right side or the left sideof the stock. Shells may be snapped in or removed from the clip and theshells are also completely contained within the confines of the stock.Preferably, the stock includes a pistol grip portion so that the shotgunmay be held by one hand. Also, preferably, the opening in the stock isdivided by a partition with the clips in the rear partition and the handholding pistol grip at the front of the front opening.

U.S. patent application Publication No. 2004/0060220 (2004, Peddie)discloses a stock mounted ammunition holder, when used by hunters andlaw enforcement that is designed to address the problem of accidentalloss of ammunition from the carrier.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,476,355 (1949, Brown) discloses a gunstock cartridgeholder that provides the stock of a rifle with a special cartridgeholder that can be installed upon existing rifle stocks. The comb of thestock of a rifle is formed into a plural receptacle for a group ofcartridges which tend to remain suspended by force of gravity. Thecartridges are retained in an unobtrusive, yet accessible position forindividual extraction for use in loading the rifle.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,110,209 (1914, Kirchner) discloses a gun clip adapted tobe readily applied to the skeleton stocks of various styles and makes offirearms, and capable of holding a number of shells or cartridges inconvenient position to enable the same to be easily and quickly loadedinto a gun. The gun clip includes a body consisting of two separate sideplates where each side plate is equipped with a longitudinal series ofcartridge holders. The body is secured within the opening of theskeleton stock by resilient clamps consisting of sleeves embracing theupper and lower portions of the skeleton stock and having spaceterminals forming ears and secured to the side faces of the body. Thecartridge holders are of substantially cylindrical form and have theirside portions spaced apart at the front and tapered or cut away at theends to facilitate the introduction and removal of the shells orcartridges.

U.S. Pat. No. 141,590 (1873, Rider) discloses a hinged magazine or tubethat contains the cartridges connected to the barrel of a gun or pistolin such a manner that the magazine can be opened by swinging its endaway from the arm, either vertically or laterally.

A major disadvantage of the prior art cartridge holders is the placementof the cartridge holders. The cartridge holders of the prior art are (1)placed too far from the breech of the gun, or (2) hold the extracartridges in an awkward position, or (3) require movement of thecartridge holder to access the extra cartridge(s), or all of the above.

Therefore, what is needed is a firearm cartridge/shell holder that isremovable. What is also needed is a firearm cartridge/shell holder thatcan accommodate various calibers and gauges of cartridges, bullets andshells. What is further needed is a firearm cartridge/shell holder thatdoes not interfere with the normal use of the firearm. What is stillfurther needed is a firearm cartridge/shell holder that allows for thequick and easy reloading of the firearm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

4 It is an object of the present invention to provide a firearmcartridge/shell holder that is removable. It is another object of thepresent invention to provide a firearm cartridge/shell holder that canaccommodate various calibers and gauges of cartridges, bullets andshells. It is a further object of the present invention to provide afirearm cartridge/shell holder that does not interfere with the normaluse of the firearm. It is still another object of the present inventionto provide a firearm cartridge/shell holder that allows for the quickand easy reloading of the firearm.

The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing aremovable firearm cartridge/shell holder that can be attached to thefirearm at such places as the barrel, the scope, the scope base, and thestock. The cartridge holder of the present invention includes a singlecartridge clip to hold a single cartridge. The cartridge clip has asubstantially cylindrical shape with side portions spaced apart at thefront to facilitate the introduction and removal of the shells orcartridges.

An important feature of the present invention is the ability of the userto be able to reload a single shot firearm as quickly as one can reloadusing a bolt action rifle. The structure of the present inventionattains the desired feature by placing the single clip of the cartridgeholder in a location substantially parallel to the barrel of the firearmand within close proximity of the breech of the firearm. To accomplishthis, the present invention includes a mounting bracket configured tosecure the cartridge holder to the scope body, if a scope is used, tothe scope base, or to the barrel of the firearm.

Although the present invention may also be adapted for mounting to thestock of the firearm, placement on the stock will increase the time itwill take a user to reload since the placement on the stock increasesthe distance between the extra cartridge and the breech. Each of theembodiments maintains the extra cartridge parallel to the barrel and inclose proximity of the breech to reduce the distance a user's hand mustmove to grasp the extra cartridge, insert it into the barrel and beready for the next shot.

The single cartridge clip of the present invention may be configured forreplacement in order to accommodate any caliber or gauge used by aparticular firearm. The cartridge clip size is configured to allow acartridge or shell to be inserted into the clip by snapping thecartridge through the front space or by sliding the cartridge into theend of the cartridge clip. Although the preferred embodiment uses metalfor all the components of the cartridge holder, the cartridge clip mayalso be made of a resilient, nonmetal material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention attached to thescope of a handgun.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the presentinvention showing a mounting bracket for attachment to a scope body of afirearm.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the presentinvention showing a mounting bracket for attachment to a scope base of afirearm.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the presentinvention showing a mounting bracket for attachment directly to a barrelof a firearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention are illustrated inFIGS. 1-4. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the cartridge holder 10of the present invention mounted to a scope 2 of a handgun 1. Cartridgeholder 10 includes a cartridge clip 20 that is parallel to the barrel 3of handgun 1. As is illustrated, cartridge clip 20 is in close proximityof gun hammer 4 and gun breech 5.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a cross-section of thepreferred embodiment of the present invention. Cartridge holder 10includes the cartridge clip 20, a spacer component 30, and a mountingbracket 40. Cartridge clip 20 is secured to spacer component 30 by, forexample, one or more screws or by welding or by any other fasteningmechanism known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The use of spacercomponent 30 is not necessary, but its use facilitates the removal ofthe cartridge when cartridge holder 10 is mounted to firearm 1. Spacercomponent 30 may also be made an integral part of either cartridge clip20 or mounting bracket 40.

Cartridge clip 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape with sideportions 22 spaced apart creating opening 24. Cartridge clip 20 may besized to fit any particular caliber or gauge cartridge or shell. For aparticular caliber or gauge, the substantially cylindrical shape ofcartridge clip 20 holds the cartridge or shell in a friction fit typerelationship that allows the cartridge or shell to be easily removedfrom cartridge clip 20 but does not allow the cartridge or shell toeasily fall out from cartridge clip 20.

Mounting bracket 40 is configured for mounting to a scope (not shown).Mounting bracket 40 includes a first scope clamp portion 42 and a secondscope clamp portion 44. First and second scope clamp portions 42 and 44have substantially semi-circular shaped portions 40′ and 40″ sized tofit a scope body (not shown). It is noted that the shape of first andsecond scope clamp portions 42 and 44 would typically be shaped to fitthe contour of the scope body. For instance, if a scope body has a moreelliptical shape, then the scope mating surfaces of first and secondscope clamp portions 42 and 44 would typically have an elliptical shapeto fit the scope body. To secure mounting bracket 40 to a scope body,first and second scope clamp portions 42 and 44 have a pair of opposedmounting bracket extensions 42 a, 42 b and 44 a, 44 b, respectively.Mounting bracket extensions 42 a, 42 b are connected to mounting bracketextensions 44 a, 44 b, respectively, using preferably a nut and bolt ora screw to clamp the mounting bracket 40 to the scope body.

It is also possible to adapt the cartridge holder 10 with a mountingbracket 40 that fits a scope mounting bracket. Some scopes include anelongated scope bracket that mounts to the barrel of the firearm andallows the scope to be adjusted more easily. Turning now to FIG. 3,there is illustrated a cartridge holder 50 with a mounting bracket 60configured for mounting to a scope bracket (not shown). In thisembodiment, mounting bracket 60 includes a first scope base component 70and a second scope base component 80. Second scope base component 80includes spacer component 80′ integrally formed as part of second scopebase component 80 with cartridge clip 20 attached thereto. It should beunderstood that spacer component 80′ may also be a separate piece thatcould be attached to second scope base component 80.

When first and second scope base components 70 and 80 are joined, ascope base receiver 65 is formed that anchors cartridge holder 50 to thescope base. Scope base receiver 65 shown is dovetailed to fit a weaverstyle base. It should be noted by those skilled in the art that scopebase receiver 65 may be shaped to fit any particular scope base style.

One or more fastener components are used to connect scope basecomponents 70 and 80 together. The size of scope base receiver 65 istypically smaller when formed than the cross-sectional profile of thescope base to which it is going to be attached so that when scope basecomponents 70 and 80 are fastened together, they clamp the cartridgeholder 50 to the scope base. In the embodiment illustrated, first scopebase component 70 has a groove 72 and second scope base 80 has a matingridge 82. The inclusion of groove 72 and mating ridge 82 is notnecessary, but the use of complementary mating surfaces renders assemblyof the cartridge holder 50 to the scope base easier than using flatmating surfaces.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated yet another embodiment ofthe present invention. Cartridge holder 100, in this embodiment,includes cartridge clip 110 and mounting bracket 120. Cartridge clip 110has the same shape and features previously described for cartridge clip20. Mounting bracket 120 includes a concave groove 122 contoured to fitthe barrel 3 of firearm 1 near the breech end of the barrel. Unlike theprevious embodiments, mounting bracket 120 of cartridge holder 100mounts directly to the barrel 3 of the firearm 1. One or more threadedrecesses are tapped into the top of the firearm barrel 3 to match theone or more fastener openings 124 of mounting bracket 120. Like theembodiment in FIG. 3, this embodiment includes the spacer component 120′as an integral part of mounting bracket 120. However, it should beunderstood that spacer component may also be a separate component thatis attached to mounting bracket 120 using conventional fasteners.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Furthermodification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to thoseskilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed tobe within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A firearm cartridge holder comprising; a substantially rigidcartridge clip; and a mounting bracket connected to said cartridge clip,said mounting bracket removably connected adjacent to, but above, thebarrel of a firearm wherein said cartridge clip holds a cartridgesubstantially parallel to the barrel of said firearm.
 2. The cartridgeholder of claim 1 further comprising a spacer component connectedbetween said mounting bracket and said cartridge clip.
 3. The cartridgeholder of claim 1 wherein said mounting bracket includes a first scopeclamp portion and a second scope clamp portion connected to each otheraround the scope of a firearm.
 4. The cartridge holder of claim 1wherein said mounting bracket includes a first scope base component anda second base component removably connected to said first scope basecomponent wherein said mounting bracket attaches to a scope base.
 5. Thecartridge holder of claim 1 wherein said mounting bracket has acontoured groove shaped to fit the contoured top of said barrel of saidfirearm.
 6. The cartridge holder of claim 1 wherein said substantiallyrigid cartridge clip has spaced apart contoured side portions.
 7. Thecartridge holder of claim 1 wherein said substantially rigid cartridgeclip has contoured side portions spaced apart along the length of saidcartridge clip.
 8. A cartridge holder kit comprising: a cartridge clip;a mounting bracket configured for attaching to said cartridge clip andwherein said mounting bracket is configured for attachment adjacent to,but above, a barrel of a firearm wherein said cartridge clip holds acartridge substantially parallel to said barrel of said firearm; andfastener components for securing said cartridge clip to said mountingbracket and for securing said mounting bracket to said firearm.
 9. Thekit of claim 8 further comprising a spacer component adapted forconnecting between said cartridge clip and said mounting bracket. 10.The kit of claim 8 wherein said mounting bracket includes a first scopeclamp portion and a second scope clamp portion configured to connect toeach other around a scope of said firearm.
 11. The kit of claim 8wherein said mounting bracket includes a first scope base component anda second scope base component configured for removable connection tosaid first scope base component wherein said mounting bracket isconfigured to attach to a scope base.
 12. The kit of claim 8 whereinsaid mounting bracket has a contoured groove shaped to fit the contouredtop of said barrel of said firearm.
 13. The kit of claim 8 wherein saidcartridge clip has spaced apart contoured side portions.
 14. The kit ofclaim 8 wherein said cartridge clip has contoured side portions spacedapart along the length of said cartridge clip.
 15. A method of making afirearm cartridge available for quickly loading a single shot firearm,said method comprising: attaching a mounting bracket of a cartridgeholder adjacent to, but above, the barrel of a firearm wherein saidcartridge holder has a cartridge clip for holding said firearm cartridgesubstantially parallel to the barrel of said firearm; and inserting afirearm cartridge into said cartridge clip.
 16. The method of claim 15wherein said attaching step includes connecting a first scope clampportion of said mounting bracket to a second scope clamp portion of saidmounting bracket around the scope of said firearm.
 17. The method ofclaim 15 wherein said attaching step includes connecting a first scopebase component of said mounting bracket to a second scope base componentof said mounting bracket wherein said first scope base component andsaid second scope base component clamp said cartridge holder to a scopebase.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein said attaching step includesaligning a contoured barrel groove of said mounting bracket onto thecontoured top of said barrel of said firearm and fastening said mountingbracket to said barrel.